So I’ve been having a bit of fun since I’m no longer sick…also had quite a few revelations about Wellesley that I’d like to share with you, as I tell you about my adventures of the week.
Thursday—I saw my fellow ZA sister, Nicole! She came to visit from the other side of Los Angeles: Long Beach. We had a wonderful time catching up and munching on delicious macaroons (who knew lavender flavored could be so yummy!) It was so nice to see her after these past few weeks! We’re both super excited for the coming events that are going to happen this semester in ZA. Spring is always a super fun time for us!! Here is a picture of the lovely Nicole holding up our delicious desserts!
Nicole and our desserts!
Seeing Nicole made me realize how great the Wellesley network is. Even across the country, I am able to see friends from ZA and from Wellesley. I’m confident knowing that wherever I go in the states and in the world, I know I can always count on seeing a friendly Wellesley face.
I also grabbed lunch with my cousin at my favorite little café in Pasadena. Had a delicious brie and tomato sandwich, which I happily ate while we talked about CS (he’s also studying CS), family, life, and Bossypants, which I recently just finished reading—wonderful book, btw. I’m so glad our ZA Fall President, Meaghan, recommended that I read it. ZA’s been keeping a running list of recommended books to read over break. One down…200+ to go haha.
Friday—I FINALLY got to see Erin after so many weeks. Due to me being sick and all, we’ve been postponing meeting up, but we finally got to see each other!! I met her mom, too, who is absolutely hilarious. We ate at a great seafood place in Santa Monica that was absolutely delicious (but just not quite as good as Boston…). Over lunch, Erin’s mom asked me why I chose to go to Wellesley, and I explained what a great sense of belonging and helpfulness I found at Wellesley when I visited over Spring Open Campus. Erin and I also talked a lot about how the strong Wellesley name gives a very reputable brand when you apply for jobs and meet recruiters etc. Wellesley just, in the end, makes you feel proud to be a Wellesley woman. I think, fundamentally, every student leaves Wellesley with that sense of pride. And you can’t just find that anywhere.
Then afterward, we went shopping on Melrose. Got some great deals, so happy. Had to beat traffic back to Pasadena, so I couldn’t stay for dinner, but I’ll be seeing her again later this week, so I’m excited.
Then that night, I caught up with one of my good friends who goes to Princeton. We talked a lot about the different cultures of Wellesley and Princeton in terms of the social scene. I told her a lot about the great sense of sisterhood you find at Wellesley in terms of the strong friendships you build in orgs, athletic teams, societies, and amongst friends. I can’t stress that enough—it’s one of my favorite things about Wellesley!
Saturday—I had a delicious breakfast with my high school friend who goes to Penn, and it was so good to see her. We actually talked a lot about study abroad and computer science (surprisingly I’ve talked to a lot of people about this subject. It’s such an expanding field). We were comparing a lot about how CS is taught at our schools. I came to discover a newfound appreciation for the Wellesley’s CS department. I’ve always loved it, but especially noticed how much Wellesley stresses keeping their classes small (nearly every single one is capped at 25), so that way, every student really gets attention from their professors. Later that day, I went shopping with my mom and then saw another friend who goes to Penn. We cooked tamales. It was so good. I love Mexican food.
Sunday—So today, I met with a friend who I haven’t seen in a really long time. Caught up over some chai lattes and later Vietnamese food. Throughout the entire conversation, I realize how much Wellesley has changed me as a person. From taking my first woman and gender’s studies class to dabbling in computer science, a subject that I never showed even the slightest interest in and now can’t get enough of, to my first collegiate acapella concert, I realize that Wellesley has shaped me into someone completely new, one who is courageous enough to try new and maybe sometimes unconventional things, who feels confident to know when to ask for help and when to solve things on my own, and who is still trying to figure out who I want to be. But unlike the person I was before I entered Wellesley, I no longer am scared that I’m still figuring that part out. I know that Wellesley is giving me all the right tools to figure everything out.
And I’m enjoying every minute of it.
So I guess this week, as much fun as it has been, has given me a lot to think about in terms of why I’m at Wellesley and why I appreciate everything that Wellesley has to offer. Anyway, as I part with all you readers this week, here’s a picture of my dog saying hello!
This is Happy. She is a happy dog.
Talk to you all later.